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Re: (meteorobs) Fwd: Meteorite said to start backyard fire
The SR-71 is actually built "loose" (so much so that it leaks fuel in
its early flight, I believe) because it expands during flight due to
high heat.
>In a message dated 12/6/00 6:10:33 PM Pacific Standard Time, k0xp@asusdot net
>writes:
>
><<
> Remember that the skin of supersonic aircraft gets extremely hot. If I
> remember correctly, the old X2 rocket-plane needed insulating material
> similar to the space shuttle's. The SR-71 Blackbird is too hot to touch
> after it lands. They have to let the space shuttle cool off something like
> 15 minutes to an hour before they can touch it.
> >>
>
>I really don't know how hot the skin of the X2 or SR-71 are upon landing.
>I've never heard this mentioned before. But I doubt the X2 or SR-71 had
>extremely cold interiors to help absorb any generated heat thru the air. I
>don't think the X2's or SR-71 had any insulating tiles similar to the space
>shuttle either. I do vaguely recall that during the early missions of the
>space shuttle, the recovery crews use to climb on board right away in
>securing the craft. Temperature didn't seem to be an issue. What happened
>though was that a ground crew who started working on a shuttle right away
>were overcome by toxic fumes left over by the engines and what have you.
>Several people died. Then a policy was adopted to let it "air out" for about
>an hour before anyone starts working on it. I don't really think skin
>temperature upon landing has been a real issue.
>GeoZay
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